Cape Town – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that an official vehicle transporting Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi was involved in a fatal accident on the N1 near Bela-Bela in Limpopo on Saturday.
According to SAPS, the state vehicle, driven by a member of the Protection Security Services (PSS), struck a woman and her two children while they were attempting to cross the road.
“A preliminary investigation suggests that a woman was attempting to cross the road with her two children, one of whom was strapped to her back,” SAPS said in a statement.
Police said the family had allegedly been trying to reach the scene of an earlier accident in which the woman’s husband was reportedly struck and killed by a vehicle driven by an off-duty police officer.
“The trio was attempting to get to the other side of the road to attend to an earlier incident in which the woman’s husband was allegedly struck by a vehicle driven by an off-duty police officer and died at the scene,” SAPS said.
Authorities added that the woman and her children were then hit by the minister’s official vehicle while crossing the road.
“Tragically, the mother and baby succumbed to their injuries,” the statement read.
SAPS said the minister, his close protector and the driver immediately stopped after the collision and remained at the scene until emergency services and police arrived.
“In line with standard protocol, the Minister’s close protector and the driver immediately stopped at the scene together with the Minister and remained there until police and emergency medical services arrived,” SAPS said.
Police confirmed that statements had been obtained from those present at the scene and that two separate culpable homicide cases are now under investigation.
“Two separate cases of culpable homicide are under investigation, and the circumstances surrounding both accidents form part of ongoing police investigations,” SAPS said.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has taken over the investigation because both drivers involved are SAPS members.
“The SAPS extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time,” the statement added.
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